From VUCommodores.comNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - John Jenkins scored 17 points and Jeffery Taylor added 16 as Vanderbilt routed Auburn 65-35 Saturday in opening Southeastern Conference play with the Commodores' fifth straight victory.
The Commodores (11-4, 1-0) improved to 49-11 all-time in SEC openers at Memorial Gym, and they did it with one of their best shooting performances this season in the first half in opening up a 38-19 halftime lead.
Brad Tinsley added 12 points and Festus Ezeli, who has been working his way back from a sprained right knee, started just his second game this season. Ezeli grabbed eight rebounds and scored four points.
Auburn (10-5, 0-1) now has lost four of six overall, and the Tigers have lost five straight SEC openers and eight of their last nine. Leading scorer Kenny Gabriel was held to a season-low two points, well off his 12.6-point average per game. Chris Denson led Auburn with seven.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
